Ridgefield Park High School College Fair is 'opportunity to talk to real people'

RIDGEFIELD PARK - The Ridgefield Park Junior Senior High School will host its annual College and Trade School Fair March 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the school’s gym.

The Fair, which is free and open to all area residents, will allow students and their parents to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of postsecondary institutions, including four year universities, two year colleges, technical schools and trade academies.

Michael Kilmurray, dean of students and the coordinator of the upcoming RPJSHS College Fair, said that last year’s College Fair was a great success and that they are expecting this year to be even better. RPJSHS has sent invitations to nearby high schools as well, and expects a sizable crowd to attend the event.

College fairs create the opportunity for prospective students to discuss specific admission and financial aid requirements, course offerings, and other information germane to the college selection process.

Assistant Principal Michelle Aughey spoke highly about the fair.

"While much of what a student wants to know about a college can be found online...but it is sometimes easier to have someone there to answer one’s questions. That is what a college fair provides. It is an opportunity to talk to real people and quickly compare what different colleges have to offer," she said.

"A college fair is also an opportunity for students to hear about colleges that may not have been on their radar for whatever reason. Additionally, many representatives track interest and inquiries, and are very involved in the admissions process; a face to face meet or a simple inquiry could be the deciding factor for an applicant" she added.

Aughey noted that there are several worthwhile websites, including www.CollegeNavigator.com, which will search, sort, and give detailed information about cost and course of study. She emphasized the importance of a college visit to the campus.

"When a student narrows down their choices, it is critical to visit the schools. No video, website, or representative is a substitute for actually seeing the school," she said.

Postsecondary institutions expected at Fair

The following postsecondary institutions are expected to attend the RPJSHS College Fair.

Adelphi University; Albertus Magnus College; Albright College; Artistic Academy of Hair Design; Ball State University; Bergen Community College; Bryant University; Bryn Athyn College; Caldwell College; Centenary College; City University of New York; College of Mount Saint Vincent; College of Saint Elizabeth; College of Saint Rose; DeSales University; DeVry University; East Stroudsburg University; Eastwick College; Fairleigh Dickinson University; Felician College; Five Towns College; Goldey-Beacom College; Holy Name Medical Center School of Nursing; Johnson and Wales University; Kean University; King's College; Lasell College; Lawrence Technological University; Lincoln Technical Institute; Manhattanville College; Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health; Mercy College; Millersville University; Montclair State University; Moravian College; New York Film Academy; New York Institute of Technology; Northwood University; Pace University; Parisian Beauty Academy; Quinnipiac University; Ramapo College; Roger Williams University; Rowan University; Rutgers University; Sacred Heart University; Seton Hill University; St. John's University; St Peter's College; St. Thomas Aquinas College; StenoTeck Career Institute; Teterboro School of Aeronautics; The College of New Jersey; The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey; The State University of New York; University of Bridgeport; University of Hartford; University of Scranton; US Army; US Marines; US National Guard; US Navy; Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology; Wagner College; Wilkes University; and William Paterson University.